Almonds

Almonds are tasty nuts that come from almond trees. The trees bloom with pretty pink and white flowers in the spring. Almonds are really the seeds found inside a fuzzy green fruit. When the fruit dries, people crack it open to get the almond inside.

Where Almonds Come From

Almond trees first grew in the Middle East thousands of years ago. Today, California grows more almonds than anywhere else in the world. Almond trees need warm weather and not too much rain. In the spring, huge almond farms are covered in beautiful pink blossoms. Bees help pollinate the flowers so they can become nuts.

Eating Almonds

Almonds are very healthy and make a great snack. You can eat them raw, roasted, or salted. Almonds are also used to make almond butter, almond milk, and marzipan candy. They have lots of protein and healthy fats that help you grow strong. Almonds are even ground up and used in cakes and cookies.

Fun Facts

• Almonds are in the same family as peaches and cherries.
• It takes about one gallon of water to grow a single almond.
• California produces about 80 percent of the world's almonds.

Did You Know?

Almonds are not really nuts to scientists. They are actually seeds from the fruit of the almond tree, just like peach pits.